My 6 months protective style challenge

Compliments of the season! The year has come to a splendid end, and the breath of God is still with us. Brethren there is much to be thankful for!

The term ‘Protective styling’ has always seemed a luxurious word that vaguely applied to me. I mean sure, I follow all the nilly gritty rules that apply to protecting my strands ( btw finger detangling flew out the window). When my hair is not stretched out or curled for a photoshoot or show, it is usually in about 4-6 single braids hidden under a head wrap. Hard-core protective styling like braids, faux locs, dare I say weaves? Just hasn’t found a place to stay in all my <ahem> 3 years of being natural. However I know my hair length is not where it was this time last year. Neither is my Density. My Mushu has grown longer and fuller.

My Natural Hair growth 2017

The collage above goes to show that even without hardcore protective styling I’ve has done well on retaining length. But trust, with longer hair comes longer wash days and responsibilities. My first and only length check is on Nappyese is one . Then there’s my video curation of my yearly mile stones in 4 YEARS NATURAL- My Journey so Far (pardon the confusion, but I actually counted back properly and realized I was only 3 years Natural. Iz ok. Guess we have celebrated already for next year 🙂

My Protective style Looks 2017

The bitter sweet truth is that Afro’s are hard to manage. The down-side of having gravity defying hair with amazing styling variety is the amount of time, care and effort that has to go into it. Especially for the kinkiest types like mine. I wont lie I have been tired and weary of my hair lately, and I’ve been itching for a creative change.

Starting this month, I commissioned myself to go on a 6 months HARD-CORE protective Style challenge!!! Yup, I’m committing and putting Mushu on Lock down! Its needless to say, the great thing about protective styling is switching up your look while protecting your strands. My Curly Wigs, Head-wraps, Clip-ins and Marley Pony’s wont cut it anymore.

PROTECTIVE STYLE 1: SIVER BOX BRAIDS

GIF

My job as a model has not allowed me the sweet variety that is our Magic and Art. But I’m at the point in my life where I’m needing to call the shots in relations to how I express myself. Surely braids can’t only be cool when celebs like Solange or Zoe Kravitaz wear them. I think its time to make braids more mainstream.

Before Protective Styling

I used these Products to prep Mushu for the challenge. Scalp Massage, Pre-poo, Deep Condition and Protein Treatment

It feels so good to be rid of Mushu for a while. I’m taking all prisoners! I will make sure to document every step and stage of this journey. I even got a tape and measured up Mushu. It up and it came up to 6 1\2 inches. My hair is uneven on all sides, so an average of 6 inches. What I aim to achieve on this 6 month challenge is growth ,Growth and more GROWTH!! I’m hoping this rest period will give me a boost and finally propel me out of awkward length stage. Aaaiiiiii I can’t wait! You know time flies, 6 months will go by again like a breeze.

I will use these products to keep Mushu staying Moisturized in my Braids

Looking forward to sharing my progress and the final results with you. I hope you’re as excited as I am!! I decided these braids will last me two months, it took a whole 3 1/2 days and they weren’t cheap.. Follow my social media pages @nappyese for daily updates

Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a
sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell
to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it
pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I
know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!